The Breastfeeding in Public Online Debate

I can't help myself.  I see an article, blog post or webpage about breastfeeding in public and I head to the comments section.  What am I looking for?  The ridiculous ones.  Comments where individuals make statements, such as, "I support breastfeeding, but why can't she just cover up?" or "that mom is just looking for attention".  And then I know it is coming, my blood starts to boil.  But I don't comment back (well ok, once I did), because I know perceptions are seldom changed in the comments section of the internet.  However, this doesn't stop me from spending too much time in my head formulating the perfect response.  Here are my top 6 answers to those who shame moms breastfeeding in public.

1. Be Modest.  Oxford Dictionaries contained one of the most specific definitions of modest; (of a woman) dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention.  Breastfeeding is not sexual, nor is it indecent - therefore modesty cannot not be used to describe how breastfeeding should occur.

2. It is a private/precious/bonding moment.  Sometimes, but not when I am out sipping coffee and trying to keep my toddler in check.  By the time my baby is 6 weeks old, I will have nursed her over 500 times.  They can't all be private and precious.  

3. Use a cover.  There are lots of responses to this one.  I have yet to read one saying, no one would recommend placing a blanket over a bottle fed baby's face.  In fact, many would cite the possibility of suffocation.  Try placing a blanket over you bottle fed baby's face in public.  That would bring a new level of critique to parenting.  

4. I don't go to the bathroom, have sex, etc in public.  But you eat in public, right?  Why is breastfeeding never compared to eating in public?

5. When I breastfed my child I...You probably also put your baby to sleep on their belly, sat them in a bumbo chair on the counter, used crib bumpers, put rice cereal in their bottles.  Your experience is almost certainly - not relevant.  

6. But your breasts are sexual.  Sometimes they are, but most certainly not while I am breastfeeding.  If you are out to keep breasts covered, I heard there is a protest happening over at the local Victoria's Secret...your campaign may be better received over there.  

Lastly, in case you missed this somehow, breastfeeding in public is now protected by law in all 50 states.  Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

How Long is Too Long to Nurse?

It is not uncommon to hear a mom say her 1 year old (or older) child is only nursing for comfort, or they know their child doesn’t need it for nutrition.  You can almost hear the shame or uncertainly in their voice, that nursing a toddler is taboo.  Their toddler shouldn't still be nursing, right?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends continued breastfeeding until one year of age.  Then mom and baby can decide what is best for them.   The World Health Organization (WHO) goes further, recommending a full two years.  The WHO even goes so far as suggesting to delay the subsequent pregnancy for two years, partly so the child gets the full two years of breast milk.  Kellymom.com, as always, does a great job of rounding up the literature on extended breastfeeding and its benefits. 

Here are a few benefits for your consideration:

1.  Nutrition.  Some sources say breast milk can make up to 50-75% of a 12 month old's calorie intake.

2. Improved immunity.  All of those great immune benefits of breastfeeding don’t stop at the age of 1!

3. Maternal Health Benefits.  Extended breastfeeding can suppress fertility, decrease risk of cancer, and a variety of other health benefits for mom. 

When considering when to wean your baby, don’t let age be the only deciding factor!   Know the recommendations and evidence to make the best decision for you and your baby. 

Failure to Breastfeed, Who is to Blame?

In the obstetric world, the word failure is often used when the norm is not met or an intervention (regardless of its appropriateness) does not work. Some terms you may recognize include:

·      Failure to progress

·      Failure to descend

·      Failure to dilate

·      Failed induction of labor

·      Failed trial of labor

·      Failed attempted vaginal birth after a previous cesarean

·      Failed lactogenesis (not able to make breast milk)

The terms failed or failure are harsh, to say the least.  They are deeply personal to those who are the recipients of the diagnosis.  But when breastfeeding fails, is it the mother’s fault? 

In a recent issue of The Lancet breastfeeding has been highlighted as a health topic that needs more support, investment, and commitment.  The health benefits of breastfeeding are staggering, for both mom and baby.  In the response to overall low breastfeeding rates, the authors of Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices?*, suggests 6 points to improve breastfeeding rates around the world.  Guess how many of these points directly involve the mother?  None!  The call for support looks more broadly to the system, if the system is improved the breastfeeding rates should follow. 

In brief, here are their suggested interventions to improve breastfeeding rates.

1.     Disseminate the evidence of exclusive breastfeeding

2.     Foster positive societal attitudes towards breastfeeding

3.     Show political support

4.     Regulate formula companies

5.     Monitor trends and interventions in breastfeeding practices

6.     Political institutions to exercise their authority and remove structural and societal barriers to breastfeeding.

What do you think, will a systems approach improve breastfeeding rates?  What do you think was the biggest influence on your breastfeeding experience?

*The summary of the article is found here

Can Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Eat Honey? Yes!

Finding the reason why it is ok for pregnant and breastfeeding women came from an understanding of why infants should not eat honey.  Let me lead you through what I found.  It was hard to find a single scholarly source of the risks to infants under 12 months, and it took reading a few to have a complete understanding.  This online resource from Kid's Health had the best overview based on all the reading I did. 

All honey carries the risk of being contaminated with spores from a bacteria that causes the illness infant botulism.  The digestive tract of a baby under one year old is immature in several ways.  Infants do not have all the normal flora (healthy bacteria) of an older child or adult to compete with the bacteria spores that cause botulism.  The spores are then able to set up shop in the infant’s digestive tract.  Additionally, the pH and decreased mobility of the infant’s bowel may also place a role in their susceptibility.  

Adult botulism from food ingestion is extremely rare.  The digestive tract of adults and child older than 12 months is able to move the spores out before they can cause harm.  Thus honey is considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

While the number of cases of infant botulism remains low, less than 100 per year, avoiding honey is a smart tip to protecting your little one.  Infants do not need honey and avoiding is generally easy.  However, it is good to note that cooking or baking the honey will most likely not destroy the spores (need to boil for 20-30 minutes). 

In addition, after all of my reading, I would probably avoid feeding a baby under 12 months home canned vegetables for the first year of life.  This is not something we routinely eat, so avoiding would be easy for me.  If you do consume home canned vegetables, make sure the cook is following proper canning techniques and it may be best to boil before consuming.  This resource has more details

http://goo.gl/UkSJY6

Pregnant or breastfeeding?  Eat your honey!  Under the age of one?  Steer clear!  If you do find out your little one consumed honey, don’t panic.  While the risk is low, I would keep my eye out for any concerning symptoms mentioned in the first link, as it could take up to one month for symptoms to present.